Country Profile: Anguilla

Anguilla is a small Caribbean island located east of Puerto Rico, characterized by its flat terrain and tropical climate. The population is approximately 19,416, predominantly residing in the capital, The Valley. The economy is largely tourism-dependent, recovering from the effects of COVID-19, while governance is structured as a parliamentary democracy under the United Kingdom's oversight.

Geography

Anguilla is situated in the Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, and is the northernmost of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. The island covers an area of 91 square kilometers with a flat, low-lying landscape composed of coral and limestone.

61 km: coastline length
0 km: total land boundaries
12 nm: territorial sea claims
200 nm: exclusive economic zone
73 m: highest elevation at Crocus Hill

People and Society

The total population of Anguilla is about 19,416 (2024 est.), displaying a diverse ethnic composition primarily of African/Black descent. The official language is English, and the predominant religion is Protestantism, with a strong emphasis on community and tradition.

82.6 years: life expectancy at birth (2024 est.)
1.74%: population growth rate (2024 est.)
100%: urban population (2023)
11.8 births/1,000: birth rate (2024 est.)
3 deaths/1,000: infant mortality rate (2024 est.)

Economy

Anguilla's economy heavily relies on tourism, with significant contributions from timeshare residences and offshore financial services. The island faces challenges due to high public debt and recovery efforts following the COVID-19 pandemic. The GDP, measured by purchasing power parity, is projected at $362.5 million for 2024.

$31,000: GDP per capita (2024 est.)
3%: inflation rate (2022 est.)
$452.73 million: GDP at official exchange rate (2024 est.)
20.8%: public debt as a percentage of GDP (2014 est.)
100%: electrification of the population (2020)

Government

Anguilla operates as a self-governing overseas territory of the UK with a parliamentary democracy. It has a unicameral legislature known as the House of Assembly, and the Premier is the head of government. Despite its autonomy, defense responsibilities lie with the United Kingdom.

18 years: minimum voting age
11: members of the House of Assembly (7 elected, 4 appointed)
5 years: term length for elected officials
Cora Richardson-Hodge: Premier since February 27, 2025
King Charles III: chief of state since September 8, 2022

Energy

Anguilla has achieved complete electrification, with 100% of its population having access to electricity as of 2020. The island is exploring options to enhance its energy resources further.

Environment

Key environmental issues include inadequate potable water supply. The tropical climate is moderated by northeast trade winds, and about 61.1% of the land is forested as of 2022.

Transportation

Anguilla has a limited transport infrastructure, featuring one airport and a modest merchant marine presence. The island's civil aircraft registration falls under the prefix VP-A.

1: airport for commercial use (2025)
2: merchant marine vessels (2023)

Communications

The communication sector in Anguilla includes both fixed and mobile telephony services, as well as a mix of media outlets. As of 2021, 81.6% of the population are internet users, with about 26,000 mobile cellular subscriptions.

6,000: fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2021)
5,000: broadband fixed subscriptions (2018)
38: fixed-line subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2021)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	19,416	2024 estimate
Area	91 sq km	Total land area
GDP	$362.5 million	Purchasing power parity (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	82.6 years	At birth (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	11.8 births/1,000	Population (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	N/A	Not available
Electrification	100%	Of total population (2020)
Urban Population	100%	Total population (2023)
Inflation Rate	3%	Consumer prices (2022 est.)
Government Debt	20.8%	Of GDP (2014 est.)